02 Explorer 4x4 won't engage & lights stays OFF

[mac999993]

My 02 Explorer will not engage 4x4... I press either 4x4Lo 4x4Hi and nothing happens and no indicator lights some on..

My son backed up over my neighbors freshly cut hedges and I had to get a tow truck to get the baby back off... I found a disconnected wire harness to the wheel speed sensor for the ABS system.. I reconnected it and the ABS light cleared.. Now this... the 4x4 problem.. I thought it was going to be an easy reconnect of a disconnected wire harness... but I haven't found one yet..

I'm guessing that it may be stuck in 4x4 High or Low, perhaps because a wire came off due to the bushes rubbing agaisnt the undercarriage severely, or something broke, when a tow truck pulled the truck off the hedges... the 4x4 worked fine before the incident, inf act, I tried to use it to get it off, before I resorted to a tow truck (THAT'S WHY IT MAY BE STRUCK IN THE 4X4 POS'N).. I now get high Vibes while driving too.

Check my thread that I posted on the other explorer forum section "Explorer & Ranger Transmissions, Transfer Cases, & Differentials " for more details: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1991814#post1991814

How can I diagnose what is wrong?
1) Broken wire/ disconnected wore harness - is there a continuity test I can perform?
2) Is there a test I can do to check if the tranfer case switch motor is OK?
3a) is there a test to check the 4x4 control module?
3b) Is the control module under the glove box in the 3rd gen?
3c) Does the 3rd gen control module have a white button to diagnose like the 2nd gen CM?
3) Why won't the dashboard 4x4 lights flash or light up?

 

[shadowless127]

it sounds as if the t-case is stuck in between 2wd and 4wd hi....this is what happened to my ex mother in law's suburban; half the truck was in 2wd the other half in 4wd.

How exactly does one back over hedges though? I've only been driving since April and I've never come close to hitting shrubs, trees, hedges, etc.

 

[mac999993]

it sounds as if the t-case is stuck in between 2wd and 4wd hi....this is what happened to my ex mother in law's suburban; half the truck was in 2wd the other half in 4wd.

How exactly does one back over hedges though? I've only been driving since April and I've never come close to hitting shrubs, trees, hedges, etc.

I have no idea how my son did that.. he is a new driver and only has his permit... He freaked my wife out in the process.. it's her SUV..

Are there any links to desribe troubleshoot procedures for the Gen 3's 4x4s? I'd like to determine if:
1) there is a loose / broken wire connection
2) failed CM
3) failed tansfer case switch motor
4) something else is failed...

Help please.. Thx

 

[shadowless127]

Well since there is no flashing 4x4 lights i think your T-case module should be fine.

After re reading your original post im thinking maybe you burnt out a t-case clutch, but not sure.

I'm hoping someone else here can shed some light on this for you, because if I were you, at this point, i'd be on my way to the shop.

 

[mac999993]

I think I figured it out - Found some helpful information on this forum.. Check this thread out: 4x4 Cm fail due to battery disconnections!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1993106#post1993106

When I was in the process of repairing the disconnected ABS wheel speed sensor harness (on the rear differential), I disconnected the battery, thinking it was required to reset the fault.. I later found out that I didn't need to do that...

But as a result of disconnecting the battery, I caused the 4x4 CM to fail... This apparently is a know problem (at elast on this forum) for 2002 Explorers... Of course, Ford wouldn't tell you that!

So 2002 Explorer Owners.... DON"T DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY - you will cause your 4x4 CM to fail!!! Go figure!

 

[shadowless127]

wow unreal....

 

[rrgone]

So 2002 Explorer Owners.... DON"T DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY - you will cause your 4x4 CM to fail!!! Go figure!

My 4X4CM failed without ever disconnecting my battery. I think any kind of a power surge can fry the OEM module in the '02s. Maybe even just a slick spot in the road causing it to try and engage the 4WD.

 

[aatomicdawg36]

I've had this problem too, thinking I had a BAD 4x4 CM, the one located in the glove box. I would DEFINITELY try the "BATTERY RESET" FIRST!! Clearly because I tried it and IT WORKED !! Here was my problem, obviously, no 4x4, on one of the worst snow days, tried engaging 4x4Hi to go up steep hill to my house. NO go. No nothing, no lights blinking, no clicking sounds, nothing. The next day, I tried troubleshooting the problem. I noticed when you first get turn the key, and all the dash lights come on, I had "4x4Lo" light up, but no "4x4Hi" dash light. Therefore, I thought I had a bad 4x4 CM. Was JUST ABOUT to order a new one from SilverState Ford in Nevada, when I decided to check here one more time for a CHEAPER solution. By the way, I also had problems with dead battery, which according to some, if you swap out battery incorrectly, it will "fry" your 4x4CM. That may or may not be true, but apparently if you do this battery reset procedure, it SHOULD bring your 4x4Hi back to life.

I did the battery reset. Just like others have posted. Remove the POS cable to your battery. Then, put key in ignition and turn. I did it BOTH ways, since I wasn't sure if you should just TURN and STOP just BEFORE you would "start" car, or if you should trun ALL THE WAY, as if you were going to start the car. Anyway, did it BOTH ways. Went back inside to warm up coffee and grab a piece of toast. Went back out after 5 mins, reconnected the POS cable to battery and then went to start car. BE ADVISED. At first, I didn't think it worked because the "4x4Hi" dash light didn't light up, just the "4x4Lo". However, when you actually go all the way and START the vehicle, I actually saw the "4x4Hi" dash light come one, and when I pushed the 4x4Hi button, I heard the clicking and voila, the "4x4Hi" dash light stayed on. So, I "guess" I have 4x4Hi now? LOL. We're supposed to get more snow in the next few days. Will let you know, but I'm pretty sure, from hearing the clicking both inside AND outside thevehicle, the 4x4 was engaging. Good Luck to all !

 

[Kerminator]

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